Smith cautious over Scotland job

But the shortlist for the post consists only of Scots, with Walter Smith and Gordon Strachan leading the way.

"The initial group were Scottish but I don't want to box ourselves in and it depends if we reach agreement with one of them," said SFA chief David Taylor.

"There has been interest from non-Scots and they will be given the same consideration as the Scots coaches."

When Vogts was appointed two-and-a-half years ago, Frenchman Philippe Troussier and Italian Nevio Scala were interviewed, along with Bruce Rioch.

Former Nigeria, South Africa and Japan manager Troussier was considered by Wales recently and he may well be interested in talking to the SFA again.

"There has been a greater level of interest in the job this time around and that has been encouraging," continued Taylor.

"We do not discriminate but we are looking at various factors that might be important and having a knowledge of Scottish football culture and contacts within the game is an important factor.

I don't understand the idea that the buck stops with me with regards the national team David Taylor SFA chief executive

"I would understand the public's reluctance to have another foreigner in the sense that it is likely to make things more difficult because it didn't work out for Berti.

"But there are a huge number of reasons for that although I think the fact he was not Scottish was not hugely significant in terms of our poor start to the World Cup campaign.

"The important thing though is to get the right appointment and we don't have another match for four or five months so the unholy rush to get something sorted tomorrow seems peculiar to me."

Taylor was also adamant he would not bow to recent criticism by resigning.

He added: "I have absolutely not considered resigning.

"As I've tried to explain to people who are prepared to listen my job is much more than picking the national team manager and that's the record I stand by.

"And I don't understand the idea that the buck stops with me with regards the national team because the fact of the matter is, that is not my appointment.

"The appointment is made by an 11-man board although I may be the figurehead. So at no time did I consider standing down."